Are you a Juggalo who’s been “given the bone” or discriminated against by law enforcement? We thought so. Thankfully, the American Civil Liberties Union is coming to your side.
Infamous Michigan-based rap group Insane Clown Posse released a statement on their website today announcing that The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will be getting down with the clown in a fight to clear the band and its fans’ name. A press conference this morning revealed that the ACLU has filed suit against the Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation for their 2011 classification of ICP and the Juggalo community as ‘a loosely organized hybrid gang. (The loose part at least may be apt, considering the group’s life philosophy is “magic everywhere in this bitch/shit’s crazy”).
Although ICP and their Juggalo “family” may just be a joke to anyone who doesn’t drink Faygo, the ACLU’s suit is a response to serious harm experienced by band founders Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope as well as the four juggalo plaintiffs named in the case, and recounts discrimination at the hands of employers and law enforcement.
The lawsuit states, “Among the supporters of almost any group — whether it be a band, sports team, university, political organization or religion — there will be some people who violate the law. However, it is wrong to designate the entire group of supporters as a criminal gang based on the acts of a few. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened here.”
Luckily, the ICP remain hopeful that their (at best, bizarre) reputation will be salvaged. In a message to fans on their website they state “The fight to clear our Juggalo family name is STRONGER THAN EVER, ninjas. And shit just got real. Very real. STAY STRONG.”
If you want the most up-to-date info on this landmark case (and why wouldn’t you?), you can call the ICP hotline at 714-647-2465.
(via The New York Times, image via Kristy Rock)
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